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"the Power Of Persistent Prayer."
Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jun 2, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: This timely message focuses on the parables of 'Ask, Seek, and Knock' and the parable of the unjust judge. The message emphasizes the importance of perseverance in prayer and reassures us that God is a loving Father who responds to the cries of His people who call out to Him day and night.
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(Matthew 7:7-8) (7) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” (8) “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
(Luke 11:9-10) (9) “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (10) “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
(Luke 18:5-8) (5) “Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.” (6) “And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.” (7) “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?” (8) “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Prologue
In a world often overshadowed by uncertainty and various challenges, the practice of persistent prayer emerges as a vital source of hope, connecting us with God. This introductory message explores the biblical mandate given by Jesus to "ask, seek, and knock," emphasizing the importance of steadfast faith in our spiritual journey.
By exploring these teachings, we reveal the transformative life-changing power of persistence in our communication with God, illustrating how consistent prayer can foster a deeper understanding, comfort, and guidance.
The essence of persistence in prayer and the experience of receiving answers lies in nurturing a deep, faith-filled relationship with God, which is founded on trust, understanding, and open communication. This relationship requires us to engage in consistent prayer, being patient and steadfast even when answers are not immediately apparent.
Aligning our prayers with God's will is crucial; it involves seeking His guidance and understanding His purpose for our lives. We must recognize that His plans, although sometimes different from our own desires, are ultimately designed for our good and spiritual growth. Therefore, by approaching our heavenly Father in prayer with an open heart and a receptive mindset, we allow ourselves to experience the profound transformation that comes from a true connection with God.
In conclusion, it is essential to approach our heavenly Father with unwavering confidence, believing that He truly delights in blessing His children with good gifts. By remaining steadfast in our prayer life and practicing patience, we open ourselves to the graciousness of God’s responses, which may come in unexpected ways but are always best suited for our needs.
"ASKING PRAYER THAT WORKS."
Ask, and it shall be given to you.
The way we approach God including what we are willing to ask him for, will reflect how we view him, therefore beloved, do we view him as one that works on a merit system that requires us to satisfy some demand to gain his favor like other religions, or do we approach him as a loving Father who loves his children wanting nothing but the best for them?
God has extended his grace unto us that we can come boldly unto him with praise and thanksgiving in our heart, for we are his children, the work of his hands. All too often, we tend to make our requests based on what we understand about his character. And to better understand this, we need to ask some very important questions.
1. How does a child who has an abusive father approach their father?
2. What will they ask for, and how will they approach them?
3. Will they be fearful that he may burst into an emotional uproar?
4. Are we, as God's children, approaching Him with fear, entertaining the thought that He is waiting for us to fail,
or can we approach Him as the model Father, full of compassion and love, who is determined to bring us to a
good end?
5. If God gave you a blank check, how would you fill it out? Would you use it to better yourself, or would you use it
to help others and advance the Kingdom of God?
One very important revelation that we must recognize in the kingdom of God is that timing is everything therefore let us not be praying a one-sided selfish prayer but stay in His presence and allow him to place His burden in our heart, realizing that He is an all-knowing God that sits high and looks low beholding everything and everyone around us that will be affected by our prayers.
We need daily strength to continue this journey, and what we had yesterday is not sufficient to face what we may encounter today, therefore when we come before him expressing our needs, we need to recognize that He instructed us to ask for them because He is concerned and he desires that we stand with confidence knowing that he can answer our prayer and meet our needs.